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Book CLUB We review five new titles that your class will love 62 | www.teachwire.net The Search for Carmella by Chloe Savage (£12.99 HB, Walker Books) It takes LOTS of work to plan an underwater expedition, but the wonders of the deep make it all worthwhile – even if the scientists don’t see Carmella, a legendary creature that lights up the ocean with her magic. Luckily for us, though, we get a better view than Dr Rose! Featuring strong female characters in STEM roles, this beautiful picturebook offers insights into the nuts-and-bolts of scientific research, and evokes the mystery and excitement that drives it. Dr Rose dares to dream, but her story’s also about appreciating what’s right in front of her. Failure can be just the way we’re framing things, and new doors open all the time. Richly-coloured deep-sea artwork features identifiable creatures that will prompt children’s curiosity and their own research. The Skeleton in the Cupboard and Other Stories byLilaBerzinska, trans. Zanete Vevere andSaraSmith (£8.99, The Emma Press) Why is Squishbod trying to hide that skeleton? Will the Sea Wolf agree to be Hare’s prisoner? And what impact will a tiny calamity like fog have on them? You could believe anything of the remote corner of Europe where such creatures live, but these odd little characters are friendly enough, and always busy with their worries, dreams and daily tasks. Latvian author Lila Berzinska’s charmingly surreal tales are packed with wisdom, warmth and insight, along with occasional glimpses of something more troubling. Value each other, they seem to say, and make the most of the here-and-now. But beyond the obvious enjoyment of ‘what happens next’, there’s plenty of space for readers to dream in, too, and draw their own conclusions. KS1 KS2 EYFS/ Y1 A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Pet byAli Rutstein, ill. TommyDoyle, (£7.99, Allen & Unwin) People think kittens and puppies make great pets, but they’re deluded. Rhinos and tigers are much better. And as for that polar bear, he really is the perfect choice! Expect a topsy-turvy world of well-meaning advice as this picturebook plays with the gap between what we know and what it’s telling us. Energetic artwork takes the joke to another level, with lots of fun and a visual ambivalence that’s carefully maintained until the final spread. Anyone old enough to twig that we’re not meant to trust the narrator will enjoy the interplay between words, pictures and subtext, even if they don’t understand every nuance. The vocabulary may stretch younger readers, but will build their capabilities as they laugh along.